Classical and Contemporary Music Project

"Un toque clásico"

The project emerges as a natural evolution of the rich musical tradition epitomized by Maestro Zeferino Nandayapa and his significant contributions to adapting classical music for the traditional Chiapaneca marimba. This initiative finds its origins in the renowned ensemble to which Maestro Mario Nandayapa belonged, where the performance of classical works on the marimba was a distinctive feature for many years.

Un toque clásico (A Classic Touch) project was born from the approach of the fourth generation, who began exploring the fusion between classical music and traditional marimba. Initially, they tackled excerpts from iconic pieces such as Franz Liszt's "La Campanella," Johann Sebastian Bach's "Air on G String," and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Rondo Alla Turca," which were among the first pieces successfully adapted.

This initial approach sparked an interest in adapting more works from the repertoire of concert or academic music for the marimba. However, some highly complex pieces required the involvement of more performers, a variety of timbres, or even additional instruments beyond the traditional marimba quartet.

As a result, shows like "Lignum" emerged, featuring opera singers to enhance the musical interpretation, "Harmonia k'ab" with a string ensemble to deepen the richness and complexity of classical pieces, "Poemas Sonoros de México" with a wind ensemble to explore the fusion of classical music with Mexican sonic traditions, and "Novo," which incorporates organists to offer an innovative and enriching musical experience. Additionally, "Sounds of Freedom" showcases percussionists who add an extra dimension to the musical performance, creating an exciting and energetic spectacle.

Un toque clásico (A Classic Touch) represents an ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and creative exploration, blending the richness of classical music with the cultural depth and resonance of the traditional Chiapaneca marimba.

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Ethnofusion and Jazz project

"Lum"

This project stems from the need to explore and experiment with unconventional musical genres within the realm of traditional Chiapaneca marimba, such as rock, pop, or jazz. Initially, the Mario Nandayapa Quartet performed works by composers like Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Chick Corea, among others, laying the groundwork to find their own voice and compose musical pieces that incorporated rhythms and colors intrinsic to Mexico.

From this experience, "The Quest of Wood and Metal" was born, a show that integrates a brass quintet, blending the rich timbres and warm tones of the marimba with those of metal instruments. Through this collaboration, the audience is offered a unique and captivating musical experience that merges genres and celebrates cultural diversity.

Moreover, the quartet ventured into the realm of ethnorock with original compositions. "Ch'etnel" is an electrifying spectacle that combines traditional marimba with electric instruments such as the bass guitar and electric guitar, creating a dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds that challenge conventions and stimulate the imagination.

The project explores musical possibilities, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of the marimba as an instrument capable of transcending boundaries and embracing new musical horizons. With these performances, the marimba quartet continues to push the boundaries of traditional music while honoring its rich cultural heritage.

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Folklore Project

"Lohp’"

Project that emerges from the request of fellow musicians to perform regionally underexposed works in the cultural sphere. The extensive musical archive accumulated by our family over more than 100 years of history serves as the starting point to continue showcasing lesser-known pieces that reflect our rich cultural identity.

In this regard, "Lohp'" has become a vehicle for preserving and promoting regional folklore, rescuing ancestral melodies and rhythms that might otherwise fade into obscurity.

To further enrich this experience, we have complemented folk music with other artistic disciplines, such as folk dance. Shows like "Balax", presented at the Zacatecas International Folklore Festival "Gustavo Vaquera Contreras" and our latest project "Hombre del Sureste" are examples of how we merge music with dance to offer a complete and enriching experience.

Hombre del Sureste (Man of the Southeast) is a variant focused on the music of southern Mexico, highlighting the diversity and cultural richness of this region through its traditional melodies and dances. This show pays homage to the communities and traditions that have enriched our musical and cultural heritage over the years.

With Lohp', we commit to continue exploring and sharing folklore roots, keeping the flame of our cultural heritage alive, and bringing the richness of our music to new audiences worldwide.

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Research and Documentary Music Project

"Nandayapa plays"

Nandayapa Plays is a research and music documentary project that emerged in response to the lack of awareness surrounding the compositions of maestro Zeferino Nandayapa following his passing. With the aim of preserving his musical legacy, the "Nandayapa Project" was established in 2014, dedicated to recovering his archives, digitizing his works, and analyzing those pieces left incomplete by him. This endeavor culminated in the creation of the album "Nandayapa Plays Nandayapa," where musical arrangements and compositions of his original works were brought to life.

Subsequently, this approach expanded to include similar endeavors, such as the adaptation of works by maestro Shota Yamamoto in "Nandayapa Plays Yamamoto," and more recently, the interpretation of compositions by maestro Astor Piazzolla in "Nandayapa Plays Piazzolla".

In 2019, the project expanded to include research on the native languages of the State of Mexico, a venture spearheaded by Mario Nandayapa Jr. This work inspired the composition of the suite "Xoñijomi" for children's choir and marimba quartet.

"Nandayapa Plays" embodies an ongoing commitment to preserving and disseminating the musical legacy of prominent composers.

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Current and Renewal Project

"Macov"

Macov is a project aimed at bringing diverse audiences together through the performance of covers, popular songs, and contemporary music genres such as Trance or Lo-Fi.

Unfortunately, the marimba has historically been pigeonholed solely within folk music, contributing significantly to the widespread unfamiliarity with this native Mexican instrument. During a national tour in 2010, we realized that audiences in various states in northern Mexico were completely unaware of the sound of the marimba and, in some cases, even believed it originated from another country.

This realization led us to focus on attracting audiences through familiar musical pieces. In this regard, we conducted a series of performances in the city, thanks to the "Teatro en tu Barrio" program of the Mexico City Theater System. During these events, many young people approached to listen to the sound of the marimba, drawn in by performances of current movie themes or popular artists.

With Macov, we aim to break stereotypes and expand the horizons of the marimba, showcasing its versatility and ability to adapt to different musical styles. Our goal is to create a musical connection that transcends new generations, bringing the marimba to a broader and more diverse audience.

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World Music and Meditation Project

"Encuentro de Mundos"

Encuentro de Mundos (Encounter of Worlds) is a project born from performing traditional pieces during international tours, where foreign audiences perceive the Chiapanecan marimba not as a foreign instrument, but as a reference point they can compare with folk music from their own countries. Although this project arises differently from current and renewal project, its goal remains the same: ¡to bring audiences closer to the marimba!

We are pleased to mention the creation of various Chiapanecan marimba ensembles worldwide, where both enthusiasts and professional foreign percussionists interpret Mexican music. This initiative has significantly contributed to spreading and promoting Mexico's musical legacy internationally.

The project has the ability to merge with other projects, such as the show La Marimba Teje un Puente entre México y Japón (The Marimba Weaves a Bridge between Mexico and Japan), where traditional Japanese songs were adapted with Latin rhythms and complex, modern jazz harmonies. This fusion of musical cultures creates a unique and enriching experience that celebrates cultural diversity.

Our latest show, Monasterio (Monastery) focuses on relaxation and meditation, using ethnic instruments from different countries to create soundscapes that invite calm and introspection. This proposal seeks to provide a space for serenity and spiritual connection through music.

Encuentro de Mundos (Encounter of Worlds) continues to be a living testament to the unifying power of music and its ability to transcend borders, connecting people from different cultures and experiences through the wonderful sound of the marimba.

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Theatrical Project

"Soctón"

Soctón project born out of the 10th anniversary of our marimba ensemble, where we incorporated shadow theater into our concerts. This innovative blend gives rise to multidisciplinary spectacles aimed at strengthening and enriching the artistic experience.

The project encompasses the creation of shows that fuse music with other artistic disciplines, as seen in "Posadas & Pastorelas," where the choir sets the scene while actors portray various scenes of this traditional festivity.

Soño con el sol (Dreaming with the Sun) presents itself as a street theater spectacle addressing topics such as social inequality through urban and contemporary dance, providing a profound reflection on the realities of our society.

With Soctón project, we aim to explore new artistic and emotional frontiers, offering audiences a unique experience that transcends the boundaries of music and art, inviting reflection and dialogue on important themes of our contemporary reality.

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